Trump Cabinet Confirmation Hearings: How it is Going So Far
The confirmation hearings for President Trump’s cabinet nominees have been a mix of political maneuvering, intense scrutiny, and strategic positioning. Read about the hearings from this week below.
Scott Bessent - Treasury Department Nominee
Scott Bessent, nominated to lead the Treasury Department, used his time during the hearing to pitch his vision for what he described as “a new economic golden age” for all Americans. A major part of his plan involves making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, including sweeping reductions in individual income taxes, a doubling of the child tax credit, and a near-doubling of the standard deduction. However, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that extending the expiring provisions, along with certain business tax changes, would increase the federal deficit by $4.6 trillion. While discussing the economy, Bessent also defended President Trump’s proposed tariff policies, claiming that "Traditionally we see that the current, if we were to say, use a number that has been thrown around in the press of 10%. Then traditionally, the currency appreciates by 4%, so the 10% is not passed through." He argued that these economic policies would reduce inflation, boost wages, and help lower costs for consumers, mimicking the results seen during Trump’s first term. “I believe that they will increase real wages and lower inflation closer to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, as (they) did during President Trump’s first administration,” Bessent told senators Thursday.
Doug Burgum - Secretary of the Interior Nominee
Doug Burgum, nominated to serve as Secretary of the Interior, echoed Trump’s energy dominance agenda and vowed to uphold and respect the United States Constitution if confirmed. Burgum was asked by Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono about his position on drilling in Bears Ears National Monument. In his response, Burgum emphasized his commitment to following the law and the Constitution, noting that his focus would be on advancing energy production for the benefit of the American people. “Well, senator, of course, as part of my sworn duty I’ll follow the law and follow the Constitution, and so you can count on that,” Burgum testified. While Burgum didn’t commit to specific policies, he made it clear that he would act in accordance with both legal and constitutional requirements, presenting a cautious yet supportive stance toward Trump’s broader energy initiatives.
Lee Zeldin - Secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency Nominee
Lee Zeldin, nominated to lead the EPA, also had his fair share of tough questioning, especially on climate change and fossil fuel regulation. Zeldin, who previously served as a New York Congressman, acknowledged that “climate change is real” when pressed by independent Sen. Bernie Sanders. However, Zeldin did not provide a direct answer when asked whether the EPA had an obligation to regulate emissions from burning fossil fuels. Under the Biden administration, the EPA has issued several regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but Trump has vowed to undo many of these policies. When Democratic Sen. Ed Markey questioned Zeldin about whether he accepted the Supreme Court’s ruling that the EPA is “obligated to regulate” greenhouse gases, Zeldin responded by emphasizing that while the decision “does not require the EPA — it authorizes the EPA” to regulate greenhouse gases. “It doesn’t say ‘you are obligated to and that’s it.’ There are steps the EPA would need to take in order for an obligation to be established,” Zeldin replied. Zeldin further avoided committing to overturning Biden’s tailpipe regulations, stating that he would not “pre-judge outcomes going into rule-making, to ensure that there is durability in any decision to be made,” as he explained to Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska.
Chris Wright - Secretary of Energy Nominee
Chris Wright, Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Energy Secretary, faced tough questioning during his confirmation hearing, particularly on climate change and his fossil fuel ties. While acknowledging that “climate change is a real and global phenomenon,” Wright stood by past comments downplaying the connection between climate change and wildfires. His comments on energy poverty vs. climate change drew mixed reactions, as he emphasized the need to balance global energy demand with environmental concerns, saying, “Energy is critical to human lives. Climate change is a global challenge that we need to solve.” Despite some contentious exchanges, including protests from climate activists and concerns from Democrats about his fossil fuel background, Wright’s confirmation process is expected to move forward smoothly due to solid Republican backing. He also addressed more specific energy policy concerns, including U.S. reliance on imported enriched uranium and hydrogen production, stating, “We need to get beyond that without shutting down the nuclear power plants we have running today.”
Pam Bondi - Attorney General Nominee
Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for Attorney General, also had her first confirmation hearing. Bondi faced significant questioning over her role in supporting Trump’s controversial actions and rhetoric, particularly around his calls for retribution against political opponents. Bondi avoided providing direct answers on whether she would support investigations into Trump’s perceived enemies, instead emphasizing her commitment to restoring integrity to the Justice Department. When pressed on the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 election victory, Bondi distanced herself from Trump’s claims of election fraud, stating that she had merely served as an advocate for Trump’s campaign rather than engaging in the election challenges directly. “I certainly have not heard the president say that,” Bondi said, referencing Trump’s calls for investigations into his political opponents. Throughout her hearing, Bondi engaged in combative exchanges with Democratic senators, often deflecting their questions or redirecting the conversation. She denied that there would be an "enemies list" within the Department of Justice and emphasized that no one would be prosecuted based solely on their political affiliation.
Other confirmation hearings this week have featured more controversial nominees, including former Fox News commentator Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, despite being embroiled in allegations of mismanagement, inappropriate behavior, and personal misconduct, faced tough questions from Democratic senators with a calm and composed demeanor. His confirmation seems likely, although no vote has yet been scheduled. Hegseth’s hearing highlighted the tension surrounding nominees with complicated personal histories, but his readiness to engage with senators appeared to mitigate some concerns.
As the confirmation hearings continue, it’s clear that Trump’s cabinet picks are under intense scrutiny, with each nominee navigating their previous positions, past controversies, and the challenge of aligning with the President’s agenda while addressing concerns about integrity, legality, and the balance of power. Hearings to look forward to this coming week is USDA nominee Brooke Rollins on the 23rd, and potentially RFJ Jr.for Health and Human Services, although his exact hearing date has not been announced yet.